Project 300: Dial and case design

[Yao]

August 18, 2011: Size question and discussion.

Background information

The original size advertised was:

Diameter: 41.75-42.00 mm
Length (end of lug to lug): 47.50mm

These original specifications were based on some old measurements that I had taken from a military issue Seamaster 300 that I owned and sold long ago. The diameter I have listed above may have been based on a diagonal measurement of the case from 2 pm to 8 pm, which is my best guess as to explain the discrepancy with the figures listed below.

Based on a closer study the civilian Watchco SM300 that I bought as a reference for this project the SM300 watch measured the following:

Diameter: 40.40 mm
Length (end of lug to lug): 47.95 mm

The case I am using is one with an SLN insert and not a 60/70s case body, or at least not a 60/70s bezel, which featured tritium. As I reviewed this sample I felt that the watch should be closer to the 42.00 mm in diameter originally advertised in the pre-order. However based on the measurements of the sample watch this would mean that the watch should be increased in length to 50.00 mm to keep the proportions of the watch the same.

After feedback received from a number of forumers and customers we are here to revisit my decision. We have three sizes we can choose from:

Size: A
Diameter: 42.00 mm
Length (end of lug to lug): 49.50 - 50.00 mm

Size: B
Diameter: 41.75 mm
Length (end of lug to lug): 49.00 - 49.55 mm

Size: C
Diameter: 41.25 mm
Length (end of lug to lug): 48.50 - 48.95 mm

I will need a small amount of wiggle room on the length to get the proportions of the case just right.

First let me know what you guys think of the options. Assuming the options are "reasonable" I will put together two surveys. One for the Plankowners, which will be done in private, and one for everyone else interested in the project, which I will post on WUS. The one option that is off the table would be to keep the watch exactly the same as the original. The watch at the very least needs to be distinguishable from the original piece by size so as to prevent more fake military SM300s from showing up on the market.

[Yao]

Now open for discussion

[MHe225]

Blessed / cursed with a slim wrist, I would prefer the smaller size. The diameter of 42 mm is not so much the problem, but the 50 mm length is.
Hence, my choice for option C:
Diameter: 41.25 mm
Length (end of lug to lug): 48.50 - 48.95 mm

RonB

[Yao]

Blessed / cursed with a slim wrist, I would prefer the smaller size. The diameter of 42 mm is not so much the problem, but the 50 mm length is.
Hence, my choice for option C:
Diameter: 41.25 mm
Length (end of lug to lug): 48.50 - 48.95 mm

RonB

Thanks for the input Ron. Please note that we are just determining whether the options for size currently cover the range options that people were considering.

I just wanted to make that clear so that we get your input on the survey I will be e-mailing to Plankowners later. That is where the votes will count for real.

[MHe225]

That's understood, Bill. The range of all 3 options is fine with me and very much in line with what I was expecting / hoping for. I should have said that explicitly, but I guess I was to eager to get my personal preference in I will repeat the same once I receive the survey.

Looking forward to seeing this one take shape

Ron

[chris7013]

Bill,
Thank you for the update. I will wait for my survey. Guys take some time to think about how the watch is going to wear. The chunky modern divers have high lugs and tend to gap on my 6.75 wrists while my Seiko 6139 helmet melts right into it. I think this case will be in the middle. And while 50mm is a larger watch it should wear a bit smaller. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Chris

[tmoris]

I would still prefer an even smaller lug to lug length due to my 17.5cm wrist, but if there is no choice to create that option i would vote C.

btw: what is a SLN insert? google didnt help..

[ljb187]

A Speedmaster Pro is my biggest watch so size C would be most soothing. I'm having uneasy visions of the 300 ending up on the WUS sales forum because it's too big for my 6.75" (on a good day) wrist:

[Thieuster]

I know MKII has often been criticized for it lack of consumer communication. I think that this sticky shows the opposite. Name me one (other) watchmaker that will discuss the actual size of the watch-to-be with the customers before starting the working on the final design. Thanks Bill!

I think that all things said in other posting apply for me as well. I'll will wait for the plankowner's email from Bill.

(Nearly Friday afternoon overhere, so: have a great weekend!)

Menno

[tmoris]

I know MKII has often been criticized for it lack of consumer communication. I think that this sticky shows the opposite. Name me one (other) watchmaker that will discuss the actual size of the watch-to-be with the customers before starting the working on the final design. Thanks Bill!

I think that all things said in other posting apply for me as well. I'll will wait for the plankowner's email from Bill.

(Nearly Friday afternoon overhere, so: have a great weekend!)

Menno

well, my belief is that if another watchmaker created a pre-paid watch, then all the specs would be approved beforehand, or he wouldnt get anyone to prepay. since the original specs changed considerably, I dont see this as an optional extra (setting up this sticky) but more as a must..

[G-Junkie]

Option C looks to be the most feasable to me. Still prefer a smaller lug-to-lug, though. I have a 6" wrist. on some days, it can even be sub-6 inches.

[OmegaCosmicMan]

Thanks Thieuster! Well Said!

I know MKII has often been criticized for it lack of consumer communication. I think that this sticky shows the opposite. Name me one (other) watchmaker that will discuss the actual size of the watch-to-be with the customers before starting the working on the final design. Thanks Bill!

I think that all things said in other posting apply for me as well. I'll will wait for the plankowner's email from Bill.

(Nearly Friday afternoon overhere, so: have a great weekend!)

Menno

[Yao]

btw: what is a SLN insert? google didnt help..

SLN = SuperLumiNova (sorry for the abbreviation - I get tired of writing that long word so often)

[Yao]

A Speedmaster Pro is my biggest watch so size C would be most soothing. I'm having uneasy visions of the 300 ending up on the WUS sales forum because it's too big for my 6.75" (on a good day) wrist:

The Project 300 will end up wearing even smaller because the dial will be substantially smaller than the Speedy. I have both watches here so I know what you mean. The reference 300 I have here has very similar measurements to the Speedy but wears much smaller.

[ljb187]

SLN = SuperLumiNova (sorry for the abbreviation - I get tired of writing that long word so often)

If you prefer to spend your days fussing about with watches I suppose it'll have to do.

[Kent108]

To me, this is a good thing. Like earlier posters, I would prefer the size to be on the small side, to match my slender 6.5" wrists (thinner in cold weather). (I've also never liked the "big and chunky" aesthetic.)

Will look forward to the poll.

The Project 300 will end up wearing even smaller because the dial will be substantially smaller than the Speedy. I have both watches here so I know what you mean. The reference 300 I have here has very similar measurements to the Speedy but wears much smaller.

[ASRSPR]

Ah, good; I guess we can probably assume that the project is going forward at this point, Bill?

Since this is also the Dial design thread, I've taken the opportunity to mock up a number of the popular name suggestions (as well as others that I perosnally like) from the other thread, with variations of typeface and dial elements. We can use these to help establish preferences like typeface style (script, sans serif, etc), size, and positioning, as well as logo design, marker style, and misc elements (e.g. Swiss Made).

For the base, I took a picture of my Precista PRS-14 and modified the elements where it diverges from the original (bezel lume pip, for instance) and replaced the dial with an original vector overlay to match the SM300 dial.

I used the Mk II wordmark from the website. The typeface for AUTOMATIC is a modified raster of Futura, which emulates closely the original Omega typeface (including flat-top As).

Here's crowd favorite "Pheon" in script, with circle-Y and big triangle. This and the 12-on-12 version below is my favorite.


And with 12-at-12


With Circle-L.

In a sans serif font instead

My suggestion: "Sublitoral".

In sans-serif.

"Trident"

"Project 300"

No-name.


So, my preference is for a script typeface for the name, with circle-Y symbol, and both big triangle and 12-at-12 dial options. The other elements closely emulate the original SM300's design, and I think we should retain those.

[OmegaCosmicMan]

Thanks for giving us something to look at and think about-Excellent Contribution!

[ASRSPR]

As for case size, I prefer Option C, which sound just about perfect.

[Thieuster]

I think that your mock ups (am I allowed to call them like that? - Is it the proper English term?) are fantastic! Imho, you're a wizzard! I agree with you on the 12-12 dial, with the 'Y' and I love the name in 'script' (Pheon being my favorite - for obvious reason).

Thank you!

Menno